Picture of the Week #494 "Home Sweet Home #4" Versailles, France 1989 & Venice, Italy 2011

Signed & Stamped

Here's the third iteration of these Venetian Carnival attendees that I had posted previously. I took the Festival group, that I might add, I photographed every day of my 7 day 6 night stay where this woman had a different outfit for each day. Plus she had her own hairdresser and dog attendee as you can see. This image says to me what it might have been like back in the day. Over the top and removed from what was really going on. Remember they used to decapitate in France.

Picture of the Week #493 "Anxious Matador"

Barcelona, Spain 1987

I am in the minority when it comes to bull fighting. I am for it. I look at it as art rather than cruelty. As soon as the bull is killed the meat is immediately sold thereby feeding lots of enthusiasts. When hunger is world wide then I am all for feeding the people. The pageantry, the ritual, and the spectacle are all extremely exciting. And yes is does help if there is a good matador who creates a clean kill that makes it worthwhile. 

Picture of the Week #492 "Monk in White" Bangkok, Thailand 1989 Signed & Stamped

This was taken when I was going around the world back in 1989. I saw this Monk in white coming towards me and was struck by his look. I immediately snapped this image. In those days I shot 35mm transparency film so I had no idea if I had the shot so I just had to wait till the film was processed. When I was back here in L.A. I was pleasantly surprised as to how this photo turned out. I was also struck by how neat and clean his white robe and shirt were. 

Picture of the Week #491 "Prayer Meeting" Cairo, Egypt 1989 Signed & Stamped

On my 1989 around the world whirlwind tour I most definitely had to stop in Cairo. What I really meant is to see the Pyramids which are actually in Giza. No matter, I went to both. Walking through the city I happened on these men sitting outside and praying. Not knowing any better to perhaps before the thought of being an intruder I calmly walked up and took this picture. There were no comments or reactions from them and I meandered on my way.

Picture of the Week #490 "Camel Jockeys" Giza, Egypt 1989 Signed & Stamped 

On my last leg of my 1989 Around the World tour I had to see the pyramids. Much to my chagrin, I only went to Giza & Cairo and missed Luxor. This gives me every good reason to return with my beautiful wife Ann whom I sadly didn't know at the time. I'm going through some serious health issues right now but once we get through this most horrible time in my life I will reward us by seeing Luxor and the Temple of Theibs. When I was looking for this weeks Picture of the Week I was originally looking for another image from Egypt. This image came up and I was surprised that I had overlooked it till now. But better late than never. I also liked the fact that the background looks like the desert sand and I'll be damned if I remember how much manipulation if any I had done to this image. 

Picture of the Week #489 "Guarding Mao's Entrance" Beijing, China 2014 Signed & Stamped 

Another from my China trip. Every once in a while I go through previous folders and always seem to find an overlooked image, this was one of them. I love the graphics of this picture. I also found that I took some horizontal images of the same Soldier but decided after some deliberation to go with this one. I hope you like it.

Picture of the Week #488 "Every Saint Has a Past to Scary to Look At" Los Angeles, California 2016 Signed & Stamped

I was working on a small series of Downtown Street Artists and PoP Legends to be held at the Container Yard a few years back. I really liked the artists that I encountered and they were more than obliging in allowing me to photograph them. This is one of a young man named "SEK". Of course that is his street name. I found his story of being homeless and in jail and finding himself through his art extremely inspiring. He was one of the sweetest young men I had met and was astounded by his deep thinking and philosophy.